Find out how popular the last name Prado is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Prado.

Prado, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Prado surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Prado in America

Prado is the 1533rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Prado surname appeared 23,436 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 8 people would have the surname Prado.

We can also compare 2010 data for Prado to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Prado

The surname Prado has its origins in Spain and Portugal, deriving from the Spanish and Portuguese word "prado," meaning meadow or field. It is believed to have emerged as a surname during the Middle Ages, when many people began adopting hereditary surnames based on their occupation, location, or other distinguishing characteristics.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Prado surname can be found in a document from the 12th century, where it appears as "Prat" or "Prato." This variation likely stemmed from the local dialect or regional pronunciation of the word "prado" at the time. The surname's evolution to its modern spelling occurred gradually over the following centuries.

In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the Prado surname was Juan del Prado, a Spanish nobleman and landowner from the region of Castile. Records indicate that he was granted significant tracts of land by the Crown, which may have contributed to the association of the surname with rural or agricultural settings.

During the 15th century, the Prado surname gained further prominence with the birth of Pedro del Prado (1435-1498), a renowned Spanish scholar and theologian. He played a pivotal role in the intellectual and religious debates of his time, authoring several influential texts and serving as a advisor to the Spanish monarchs.

In the 16th century, the explorer and navigator Juan Prado (1510-1589) made significant contributions to the Age of Exploration. He accompanied several expeditions to the Americas and is credited with mapping and charting previously unknown territories, particularly in present-day Brazil and the Caribbean region.

Another notable figure was María del Prado (1570-1648), a Spanish nun and mystic who founded the Convent of the Immaculate Conception in Agreda, Spain. Her writings on spiritual matters and her alleged bilocation experiences garnered her considerable fame and recognition during her lifetime.

Moving into the 17th century, the Prado surname was also associated with the arts, as exemplified by the painter Juan Bautista del Prado (1612-1689). He was a prominent figure in the Spanish Golden Age of painting and is known for his religious works and portraits commissioned by various noble patrons.

Throughout its history, the Prado surname has been closely linked to places and regions with agricultural or rural associations, reflecting its etymological roots. While its origins can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula, the name has spread globally due to migration and exploration, and individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions across various fields.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Prado

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Prado.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Prado was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Prado has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Prado was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Prado, please contact us.

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